Disclaimer: I do not own Reign

AN: I am so sorry for the delay, everyone! This is the final chapter and I wanted to make sure that I hit the right note. Thanks to all of you who stuck with me!

Emerging from the solitude of the cupboard, Catherine's hastened stride led her away from the bustling crowd and towards the back staircase. Lifting her skirts enough to account for the rising steps gave her an excuse to clench her fists and hide the quiver of her hands. Other than that betraying tremble, Catherine appeared entirely unaffected by the surge of panic that had washed over her. She had developed an expertise for veiling the traumas of this life behind a stony expression. Passing servants shrunk from her, not daring to badger their Queen with inquiries or even risk a lingering glance. Numbing her mind with the monotonous counting each step she took, her feet instinctively led her towards her only source of pure joy.

As she approached the nursery door Catherine paused, allowing herself a moment to summon her smile. Her hesitation lasted only long enough for the comforting sounds of tuneless singing and unsuppressed giggles to reach her ears, washing away her callous exterior and filling her chest with warmth. A peek inside revealed Charles crooning a silly song while Little Henry laughed, chiming in on the parts he knew. Her round of applause caused Charles to blush with embarrassment and Henry to take a deep bow.

"That was wonderful, boys!" She knelt to plant an audible kiss on each forehead before drawing them into a tight embrace. Moments crept by and still she clung to them, needing that nearness, needing the tangible evidence that all was well. Catherine maintained her protective hold while she choked back a sob.

"Mama?" Charles' voice inflected nervously. "Is something wrong?"

Catherine drew a shaky breath before pulling away enough to look into their eyes and flashing a bright smile for her sons' benefit. "I just couldn't wait to get away from that dreary party and spend some quality time with my sweet boys." Catherine ruffled their locks and pushed the darkness into the distant recesses of her mind. "How lucky was I to happen upon such an entertaining performance? Do either of you happen to know any lullabies? It's nearly bedtime."

Charles was ever the voice of reason. "Mama, we are much too big for lullabies. Would you tell us a story instead?"

Henry chimed in, holding up his hand and hopping up and down to catch her attention. "Five stories!"

Catherine's smile grew wide as she lowered her voice to a whisper. "I have an even better idea. Why don't we lay out under the night sky and I will tell you the stories of the stars."

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Catherine couldn't help but smile as her little blonde boy rode on the tail end of the cushion she was dragging. "Henry, love, this might go quicker if you did less riding and more helping. Charlie, don't perch on the rail, please. Why don't you two go gather as many coverlets as you can find while I finish here?" Watching her boys dash off, climbing over furniture and playing tug-of-war with blankets, Catherine thought she might have to skip dinner every night if it meant making pallets on the balcony with her children. They served as a balm, soothing her fears and quieting her mind. None of the terrors that haunted her seemed to exist anymore as the princes returned with the spoils of their hunt. After a bit of clamouring over favourite blankets, the three huddled together on the cushions and the stargazing commenced.

"See that one?" She glanced at the face resting against her shoulder to make sure Charles was following her finger. "That is Argo. It's named for the ship that Jason and the Argonauts used on their voyage to retrieve the Golden Fleece."

Henry bounced up onto his elbows, pointing. "Oooh! What's that one's name?"

Catherine pressed her lips together, fighting to keep a laugh from erupting at the sweet naiveté of her baby boy. "That's the moon, darling."

He looked back, entirely perplexed. "But it looks different from before."

"The moon is always changing. First it appears to grow and then it looking like it's shrinking, but it is always called the moon. Now that one," she indicated towards a particularly bright star. "Ship captains use that one to find their way. It is called the North Star because it can always be found in the northern sky. Over there you can see-" All three heads whipped around at the click of the door shutting.

A chorus of voices rang out, as the princes launched at their father. "Papa!"

The chorus dissolved into a jumbled array of chatter with the boys competing to speak over one another.

"Papa, come sit by me! I maked a pallet all by myself with Mama's help. I am very good at making things…" The King could only understand every third word, but he nodded and yielded to the insistent tugging at his hand. The little one took notice of his father's bandaged knuckles. "What happened to your fingers? Does it hurt…"

Charles had to shout to be heard. "My new cape looks just like yours! Would you like to see it? I'm going to go get it!"

"See how strong I am? Will you pick me up?" Little Henry was swinging from his father's arm.

"Look here it is!" "Charles was holding the cape up proudly, so that his father could see the similarity.

"Alright, take it easy boys." Henry spoke in a playful tone. "My goodness what did your mother feed you?"

Charles beamed up at him, "We just missed you, Papa."

Henry lifted Little Henry a bit higher and rested his free hand on Charles' head. The King was rewarded with a pair of sweet grins. "I have missed you both, too. So much, in fact, that I want to spend the whole day with you tomorrow. How does that sound? I thought I would show you where to find the biggest, juiciest berries you will ever taste."

"Can we, Mama? Pleeease?" Little Henry voiced the pleading that was evident in the eyes her three men.

They were so desperate for his attention that she couldn't conceive depriving them of their special day with him. With a small sigh, the Queen nodded. "Lessons come first and then I suppose you may go adventuring."

Henry voiced his agreement, still unsure if he even had the right to speak on the matter, "Yes, education is quite important for the Princes of France." Noticing the little one in his arms trying to disguise a yawn, Henry bounced him. "As is sleep."

"We are looking at the stars and Mama is telling us all about them." Charles explained as he led his father into the cool night air. "Will you stay with us?" Henry hesitated to answer, worried that he may be intruding.

With a momentary glance at Catherine, Henry began to decline. "Well, boys, the balcony may be a bit crowded with four of us and I was really just coming to check in…"

Little Henry wrapped both of his little arms around his father. "We can make room, Papa! I want you to stay and so does Charles and so does Mama!"

Chancing a look once more, their eyes connected over the bobbing heads of their children and Catherine gave him a quick nod of consent.
Henry effortlessly lifted a son in each arm, causing them to squeal with glee. "Nothing would give me greater pleasure than spending the evening with you three."

"Papa you never answered my question." Little fingers gently touched the fist that Henry had put through a window. "Does your hand hurt?"

"It didn't tickle at the time." He tickled the squirming prince's side, giving no indication that he noticed Catherine's concerned glance at his hand. "But it's just fine now. Anyway, why don't we get settled so Mama can continue?"

Piling onto the balcony, everyone quieted, waiting for Catherine to resume the celestial lesson.

"That one," Catherine continued, "That's Leo, the lion that Hercules fought as one of his twel-"

"Have you ever sawed a lion, Mama?" Little Henry could always be counted on for interruptions and questions.

"Yes, I have seen a lion, Chers Yeux." Out of the corner of her eye Catherine could see her husband smile. "At our wedding many gifts were exchanged. A lion was amoung them."

Diverting focus back to astronomy, Catherine fascinated everyone, Henry included, with the history and myth connected to the glorious lights of the night. Soon the questions ceased and were replaced by the deep breathing of two tired boys.

Henry broke the stillness that had developed as sleep descended on the little princes. They had allowed each other some space after yesterday's revelation and, still feeling the weight of their conversation, he began haltingly. "I-I worried when you were not at banquet… Francis explained that you were… unwell. You have me concerned, Catherine. " His pause was an invitation to explain, an invitation that she declined in silence. "The chefs are preparing a light supper for you as we speak. I regret to admit that I wasn't sure what you would like, but they seemed to have it in hand."

Catherine revealed only a hint of the surprise she felt. "That was very thoughtful."

Henry diverted his attention to his hands as he spoke. "Tonight marks the second time this week that I have heard news concerning your wellbeing from our son. I've been blind to the reality that they know you better than the person who promised to comfort, honour, and cherish you all the days of his life." He sensed her eye-roll and shook his head. "I know, which vow haven't I broken? This was never what I wanted, to be a repulsive husband to you and a stranger to them." His eyes scanned over his sleeping sons, remorse written all over his face. "I want to be the man I should have been for them, try to make up a bit for the time I've lost. Too many years have been wasted… for all of us. Ever since the castle was taken I have been… reflective. I've only recently discovered that reflective and changed are not synonymous. Yesterday I behaved just as I always have towards you, storming in, taking what wasn't mine to take. I am grateful for the knowledge of Diane's treachery, but…" He picked at his bandaged hand. "I'm not going to force my way in anymore and if the day comes that you welcome me in, should it take years, it will be worth every moment to know that I had earned it." He ventured a glance at her, gauging whether he should continue.

Her sigh was visible in the cool air. "It isn't what I wanted either, Henry." Introspection was a painful pastime that Catherine avoided whenever possible, but if they were going to do this they may as well do it right. Serving as the voice of reason, she refused to comfort him. "We cannot wish away the past, good or bad. You can, however, improve so that you are not faced with the same regrets in the future. Keep your word. Do not let your children hear your promises as lies. Invest your time wisely with those who value it instead of throwing it away on any woman who bats her lashes or laughs at your jests." With that Catherine stopped, certain that she had said too much.

Charles had fallen asleep holding the edge of his father's doublet. Looking down, Henry ran his thumb over the tiny fist that, even in sleep, lovingly grasped for his father. It was humbling to receive that love with no cause. "My failures as a father may be remedied in time… I wonder if we will ever overcome the wedge that I have driven between us. Undeserving though I am, nothing is as important to me as gaining your trust… gaining it and keeping it. I love you, Catherine, and I will tell you so every day until you believe it." In spite of their lack of physical contact, this was the most intimacy they had shared in years. Catherine raised her eyebrow, silently nodding. Henry felt emboldened by her subtle encouragement and the perfect simplicity of this moment. "And then I will begin and finish each statement with 'I love you, Catherine' just to see that gleam in your eyes."

A reticent Catherine absorbed his words, not quite ready to express hope or trust in her mercurial husband yet.

With a yawn Henry lightened the subject. "Should we take them inside? It's getting rather late."

Catherine allowed herself a contented hum watching her husband brush the tousled fringe from their son's brow. "It is late," she conceded. But perhaps it's not too late.

Fin

AN: Well, that's all there is to this one. I hope you enjoyed! Thank you to all who read, followed, and favourited. It means a lot that you stuck with me! An extra special thank you to my beta, Lina! Thank you to Angel (Catherine Woods), Issi (demedicigirl), Experimental, Beawild, Jayleigh81, Katie, Lily, dreamcatcherxx, Jussie87, Bella, Zocherre, xBlownxAwayx, and Zeehana for your reviews! Your feedback means a great deal! XO!